Outcome of Our Good, Bad Deeds
Any individual carries out good and bad deeds in their lifetime as each of these deeds have spiritual as well as apparent effects with God Almighty setting rewards and punishments for each of them.
The outcome of our deeds can be categorized into following groups:
1) Some sins destroy and neutralize all good deeds that we had in this world; sins such as apostasy. And sometimes, some good deeds, such as repentance lead to elimination of all sins.
2) Some disobediences ruin part of our good deeds. And sometimes, deeds such as saying prayers lead to elimination of some sins. Another example is refraining from cardinal sins which can lead to forgiveness of minor ones.
3) Some sins lead to the transfer of one’s good deeds to others; this form of punishment has been mentioned for backbiting.
4) Some sins can generate a copy of others’ bad deeds in us; misguiding others or making a thing that leads others to commit sin are examples of this type. On the other hand, some good deeds cause transferring of the same thawab to us; such as those good deeds that are continued generation after generation.
5) Some sins carry an extra punishment; and some good deeds, such as infaq, bear extra reward. “The example of those who give their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain of corn that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah multiplies to whom He will, Allah is the Embracer, the Knower.” (Surah Baqarah, verse 261)
